A Case of Bad PR?

It is quite a surprise that MITI would issue a statement to the press NOT to cover an event that the Minister was attending.

This is surely a case of bad public relations. If they wanted to send a message, they should have said, "the minister will not be answering any questions related to APs."

Surely we do have some press freedom in Malaysia? What about the event that needed some publicity?
Ministers are public figures and must not shy away from the Press unless they have something to hide.